I'm in the market for a portable digital camera.My cell phone doesn't have one.The motive is for emergency type circumstances;like, someone is prowling near my car, I want aphoto for the police. Or whatever.it will not be used for quality pics, they won'tbe framed or even printed. The primary specsare size, convenience, and speed. A shirtpocket camera. I want to whip it out and shoot.Thus:* resolution: low is acceptable, unless megapixels are free* video: not necessary, if it adds bulk or complexity, as I just want documentary pics.* USB port* wireless connection not needed* battery life: not important* auto-focus: helpful, maybe necessary. But I always want manual focus override on any camera.* flash: yes. And good low light performance for dusk.* zoom: desirable, for face close-ups etc.* screen preview: not necessary, through the lens should work, if it cuts size.Which one fits the bill?What about those no-name camerasI see at Walgreens for $30?--Rich

Buy a new cellphone that does have a camera.

camera recommendation?

Mar 19, 2011 44 Replies

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christopherplatt 15 years ago

I'm surprised luxury cars don't already have this feature built-in.

Of course on Lincolns it would break immediately and cost thousands to repair. On BMWs it would be impossibly complex to operate, requiring a separate

200-page manual, a stilted translation from the original German.

Insurance companies could use it to monitor your activities, raising your rates if they don't like the places you go, or just for the heck of it.

Until technology and marketing catch up with this pressing "need", you could alway keep a disposable black and white film camera in the glove compartment...

Chris

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mike 15 years ago

Cars already keep track of the speeds you drive. Only a matter of time before the insurance companies get access to the emissions testing records and they start logging the stats in your car's computer. Bend over, it's gonna be a bumpy ride...

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Paul Hovnanian P.E. 15 years ago

Snap photo of someone prowling around your car at night. The perp sees your flash, mistakes in for a muzzle flash and returns fire.

Get a 'critter cam' and hand it in a nearby tree. Motion triggered, built in IR illumination and expendable should the bad guys make off with the camera. Spend a few bucks more and get a WiFi capable web cam type. At least a photo of them prying it off the tree will be saved on the server.

Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word. -- Andrew Jackson

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Michael A. Terrell 15 years ago

Which species of tree has a hand? :)

You can't fix stupid. You can't even put a Band-Aid? on it, because it's Teflon coated.

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whit3rd 15 years ago

Banana? Palm is only a partial solution...

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